Cato axed for indiscipline, Levi out with injury: Lawrence names team to face USA, C/Rica

The Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team will go into crucial 2018 World Cup qualifying away fixtures against the United States and Costa Rica with just two recognised wingers, after coach Dennis Lawrence axed San Jose Earthquakes flanker Cordell Cato for indiscipline and released Levi Garcia, Jomal Williams and Akeem Roach due to injury.

India-based forward Willis Plaza also left the team camp in Colorado due to an injury, which left the Soca Warriors with a 24-man squad of nine defenders, five holding midfielders and three forwards but just four attacking midfielders.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team head coach Dennis Lawrence (right) thanks midfielder Cordell Cato for his effort during 2018 World Cup qualifying action against Panama at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on 24 March 2017.(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

Lawrence, like his predecessor Stephen Hart, has generally favoured a 4-2-3-1 formation with three attacking midfielders behind a lone striker.

On this occasion, he has only Seattle Sounders’ Joevin Jones and San Juan Jabloteh’s Nathan Lewis as specialist wingers while Minnesota United’s Kevin Molino should start in the ‘number 10’ role with Defence Force’s Hashim Arcia as back-up.

W Connection’s 32-year-old deep-lying playmaker Hughtun Hector and 38-year-old Central FC full back Carlos Edwards both played as wingers earlier in their careers and might be asked to deputise if necessary.

While the absence of Garcia, Williams and Roach were unavoidable, Lawrence might feel especially let down by Cato who was released shortly after showing up for camp.

Wired868 understands that Cato allegedly showed up at the team’s residential camp with his wife Jonelle Warrick and child, despite being advised against it. The speedy winger then asked for them to spend the night with him and, failing that, for him to be allowed to spend the night at a hotel with the pair and report for training in the morning.

Lawrence dropped him instead.

Photo: Honduras winger Boniek Garcia (right) and Emilio Izaguirre (left) vie for the ball with Trinidad and Tobago winger Cordell Cato during their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier in San Pedro Sula, Honduras on 15 November 2016.(Copyright AFP 2016/Orlando Sierra)

Neither player nor coach have spoken about the incident on the record as yet and the TTFA said only that Cato “was released due to disciplinary reasons.”

It is worth noting that the entire squad is not yet in camp as Kevin Molino only joined the team today while Kenwyne Jones and Kevan George are expected later today and Joevin Jones reports for duty tomorrow, as he represents Seattle Sounders tonight in MLS action.

The head scratching confrontation follows on a tetchy exchange between the David John-Williams-led Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) and the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) president Sunil Gulati and Major League Soccer League (MLS) commissioner Dan Garber.

The TTFA wrote to Gulati and Garber, on 27 May, to point out that the MLS clubs released their players early to the United States national team but not to the Soca Warriors. The TTFA president asked Gulati and Garber for reciprocity.

In response, according to John-Williams, the United States football officials claimed that “the MLS and USSF entered into an agreement before the beginning of the MLS season in January 2017 to release their players early for the June qualifiers.”

This pact between the MLS and the USSF had not previously been made public.

There was no legal grounds under which the TTFA could take action against the MLS in any case. FIFA rules state that clubs are not obliged to release players earlier than three days before match day for games on the same continent and four days for games on separate continents. Otherwise, the respective clubs can use their own prerogative in deciding when to release their employees.

Indeed, John-Williams himself—along with Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene and chairman Larry Romany—could not compel Central FC to release players for international duty outside the FIFA guidelines when ex-Warriors coach Tom Saintfiet demanded them for a Nicaragua tour last December.

United States drew 1-1 with Venezuela in a friendly international encounter last night in Utah, after a second half equaliser by teenaged midfield star Christian Pulisic. In contrast, the Warriors’ only outing in Colorado thus far was a 1-0 win over a FC Boulder team which competes in the largely amateur Premier Development League (PDL).

However, Lawrence said their camp has served its objective of allowing the players to acclimatise to the high altitude. Assistant coach Sol Campbell also joined the squad in Colorado last week.

“We were able to get in some proper training which allowed me and the coaching staff to get a good impression of how the players would react under the conditions here,” said Lawrence. “The players have responded positively with a good attitude and the spirit in the camp has been good with everyone having a proper understanding as to why we are here.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team head coach Dennis Lawrence (far left) looks on during a training session at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)

“Now we are under a week away from the match and we should have the full squad together from later this evening and tomorrow we will begin the final leg of preparations. We are heading into it in a positive frame of mind and ready to focus all our energies into ensuring we prepare as best as possible for what is ahead of us.”

Trinidad and Tobago have never won away to the United States while their only point there in World Cup qualifying action came almost 30 years ago—on 13 May 1989—when Strike Squad midfielder Hutson “Barber” Charles tucked away a last gasp equaliser in a 1-1 result.

Lawrence will try to emulate then coach Everald “Gally” Cummings, despite the absences of Cato, Garcia and Plaza, who all featured under the current boss in World Cup qualifying action.

Trinidad and Tobago have one defeat in four matches under Lawrence so far with wins over Panama and Barbados, a draw with Grenada and a loss to Mexico. USA are unbeaten after five games under coach Bruce Arena with wins over Jamaica and Honduras and draws against Serbia, Panama and Venezuela.

About Lasana Liburd

Lasana Liburd is the CEO and Editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.

153 comments

I don’t know this could have been avoided as far as I can see. Why didn’t he book a hotel nearby for his wife and child. I am sure if he had asked to do that and then return to camp he may have been given leeway. I just think it was a bit naive of him – it is not his first call up.

Lasana – Honestly – faced with a similar situation I would do the same. I would choose family over playing for an uncompromising coach. I’m tired of our players being asked to make all the necessary sacrifices. They play their hearts out for the national team with no guarantee of match fees or bonuses. They risk injury and hence their careers / livelihood. They travel thousands of miles away from their young families to represent tnt. More power to the young bro from tnt who looked Dennis in the eyes and said given the choice I’m choosing family.

Carlos Lee, poor argument. Was he forced into this profession? If you’re going to use the argument above as justification for his insubordination, then he should not agree to represent T&T. What you are trying to justify is exactly what happened during Hart’s reign – what I want to do is paramount to the best interest of the national team.

“Increased security at this summer’s European Championships is unlikely to change England manager Roy Hodgson’s policy of allowing his players to see their wives and girlfriends during the tournament.

Hodgson plans to stick by the philosophy that worked well in the last European Championships and the Brazil World Cup, whereby players can meet up with their families and partners at designated times…

Wives and girlfriends will not be permitted to enter England’s team hotel Chantilly during the tournament and the Football Association will not be arranging any travel packages for the families of the players.

I hope that the examples provided by Lasana Liburd will silence this foolish discussion. I still stand by the idea that, even IF some teams allowed it, this coach Dennis Lawrence didnt and his rules should be respected by ALL, even God Cato

A lesson learned for Cato. Rather than show up early for camp with your wife and child take an extra day off like K. Jones and the other US based contingent. That way you don’t get the axe for showing up 15 min late and you don’t break teams rules concerning spousal presence at residential camps.

A lil additional flexibility by Dennis would have been appropriate in this specific situation. Allow the brother a few minutes to walk his wife and kid to their room in the hotel. What you would have had then was a happy player and supportive wife, and more importantly no controversy to deal with a few days before a big game. Now you are one key player short and dealing with a possibly divided camp. All unnecessary distractions ahead of a critical match.

Maybe I misread Lasana’s updated article. But please explain what rule did he break? My understanding from reading the article was that Cato was supposed to check in at 8:30 pm and meet with the team for dinner. He however arrived at 8:45 pm. and asked the coach for permission to take his wife and kid to their rooms before joining the team for dinner. The coach did not support his request and from what I read in the article Cato decided to leave.

You asking what rule was broken? 8:30/8:45? Rule one. Rule two, asking for permission, it was denied and u left. Need me to carry on? If this was Manchester United champions league final and mourinho call camp at 8.45 I don’t think this problem would even arise. Furthermore a senior player was just MARRIED and postponed his honeymoon to attend this camp…. be real

Lol – So wait. This is an away game in a foreign country. A player’s wife and child makes the visit to watch their husband/ father play and you’re telling me they cannot book a room in the same hotel as the player? And by doing so the player is breaking team rules.

Carlos Lee no they can’t if its against team rules. I know for a fact that some teams allow conjugal visits but the families don’t stay at the same hotel. Either way – it was a team rule, he broke it and was sent home. The coach is right. Let him have his way and the other players say its favoritism and unfair. Right? Brilliant!!

Brent – not saying the coach was wrong. I said he could have shown some additional flexibility, which would have minimized the current unnecessary distractions he and the team now has to deal with. Is it wrong for his wife and kids to stay in the same hotel for an away game? I’m not talking about staying in the same room, as I’m sure they were not doing such.

This is why we going ti be beaten badly because we don’t deserve any better even as a country. We still have plenty maturing to do. The magnitude of teh game should have been teh focus not trying to get a bligh

Lol. Some rules are unreasonable, inappropriate, and unrealistic and therefore need to be challenged. If there is a rule that a player is not allowed to have his wife stay in the same hotel as the team then it should be challenged. Especially when applied to
away games. It’s not like
The TTFA is footing the bill for the spouse and child.

Carlos – you are absolutely correct and that is why I cannot understand your take on it. If Cato had a problem with the rule, then he was well within his right to challenge it, but that should be done before his arrival at the Hotel, especially late. Once you are at the Hotel, you are under the jurisdiction of the coach.

Back in my coaching days they use to call me Sir Alex Ferguson eh as you slip I buss your throat, my number one baller for life Marvin Oliver use to say “Manage” how you like to fine your players for everything so eh and my reply was the police thing in meh nah man I use to lock up every body that use to do the wrong things eh nothing personal. Them really good yes hahahaha

Brent – There have been numerous cases where national teams have and continue to allow the wives of players to accompany the team. The English, Germans, Spanish, Dutch, etc. have allowed it. Not just in soccer/football, but in other sports as well. There are obviously pros and cons for doing this. Some think it can be a distraction for the players, while others think it can be a huge positive, helping the players to relax, de-stress, etc. A little situational leadership by Dennis would have been welcomed in this case. For example he could have said to Cato, hey bro – no worries with your spouse and kid being around, but can you have them stay at one of the neighboring hotels? Anyway, we may be getting only half the story from the article so will wait for Lasana for dig for more details and update us accordingly. Until then hoping the fellas pull together and give a good performance on Thursday. Peace!

Carlos, teams allow their wives to visit. But in a controlled manner. I have never heard of that happening before a big game. And I can’t think of them staying in the same hotel as players either.
Can you find me an example of that?

Lasana Liburd that’s what I’ve seen and the hotels were not the same. It generally isn’t before a big do or die game. Also, we must consider that Lawrence is still a new coach with this team and he’s trying to get them to spend as much time with him as well as with each other, so no distractions can be allowed. The other issue is that once the expectations were set EVERY player must abide. Has he allowed Cato to do that then he would have had 20 other pissed off players who left their families behind. The team is bigger than even his wife in the current context.

“Increased security at this summer’s European Championships is unlikely to change England manager Roy Hodgson’s policy of allowing his players to see their wives and girlfriends during the tournament.

Hodgson plans to stick by the philosophy that worked well in the last European Championships and the Brazil World Cup, whereby players can meet up with their families and partners at designated times…

Wives and girlfriends will not be permitted to enter England’s team hotel Chantilly during the tournament and the Football Association will not be arranging any travel packages for the families of the players.

But Hodgson will allow players to meet up with wives and girlfriends at opportune moments, most likely the afternoon after a game, away from the team hotel.”

You are wrong Carlos Lee. This is what Sven said: “The Wags were invited when I thought it was the right occasion to do it, and that didn’t happen very often…”
And even that was controversial and Capello stopped the practice alright.

I’ve searched online and haven’t found a single instance where wives were allowed to stay in team hotel. The only examples are allowing visits during competition.
The 2006 team didn’t have wives in training camp and they were together for about two months. Cato would have had just a week and a half away from his wife.

Cricket is a poor example to me because cricket tours can go on for six months. You would keep a family apart altogether for six months? You have to be more flexible in cricket. Different circumstances.

Australia cricket report: “The fall out from Australia’s demoralising Ashes campaign continues with reports of upheaval in the camp long before the embarrassing fourth test defeat to England at Trent Bridge.

News Corp reports the tour had been dogged by off-field dramas with a long-running feud between the wives of two senior players; skipper Michael Clarke’s refusal to travel on the team bus or socialise with team-mates, the sacking of popular vice-captain Brad Haddin after time off for family reasons and the mishandling of selection announcements.

…

“While the divide between captain and team will not be an issue with incoming skipper Steven Smith, the question of whether wives, girlfriends and children should be allowed on tour will continue to be a minefield.

“It is known that the wives of two senior players do not get along, and that this has caused friction between their husbands, as has been the case with personality clashes between WAGs on previous tours.”

“But cricket commentator and former player Ian Healy has suggested the poor result is due to the presence of the WAGs on tour – even though his niece Alyssa Healy is one.

‘All their partners are here and some of the most respected cricketers I played with hated that distraction…they weren’t allowed on tour until after the series had been won,’ Healy told Channel Nine.
‘Your mind needs to be completely focused on it. Cricket is a sport that requires complete concentration. You need everything going for you and I’m not sure they’re pushing for that hard enough.’

The number of wives and girlfriends travelling on the team’s Tour of the British Isles is continuing to grow – as well as some new younger additions.
According to Cricket Australia, the Australian Cricket Team has become a very ‘family-friendly’ environment, with the travelling party now including 28 children.

I’ll flip that analogy and ask – if the speed limit of 80 was implemented when the roads were poor and the vehicles were not as fast nor safe, and now we have improved roads and faster cars that are safer should we not consider changing the speed limit?

Carlos, the other parties can have a say. I reached out. Up to them. Ignore the rules you say?
How about you not pay your taxes in the states and tell them you’re agitating for change. Hahaha.
I’d think the mature thing would be to speak with your teammates and try to get a consensus for a rule change. Or try to sway your coach.
Say what. The boy make his mind up. Good luck to him.

Lol. I hear you. By the way, can you tell us why Molino, K. Jones and some of the other US foreign based players were allowed to join the residential camp a day later than Cato? Was Cato scheduled to arrive at the same time as them, but came earlier hoping to kill two birds with one stone – I.e spend a day with his wife and kid while also being with the team?

I have been tempted to simply leave this discussion, but didn’t because there’s something about it I find offensive. Carlos Lee who apparently resides in the USA, is vigorously defending Cato and suggesting that the coach could have been more understanding. What’s offensive about it is summarized in the last example he gave about speed limits. He sure as hell know that in the USA he dares not violate the rules or he will suffer the full extent of the law, yet he’s supportive of Cato challenging the coach and TT team’s rules. So implied in his argument is dont break rules in USA but violate as you wish in TT. His logic is foolish and belittling. Lasana I apologize but had to place this here.

Carlos, according to FIFA rules the MLS teams had until Tuesday to release players for International duty. All clubs released players early at a time that suited them.
So it’s not that Cato was coming early from the good of his heart really. That’s when his club released him.
Since that has been rescinded he can’t stay in Colorado liming with the family you know. He has to return to his team now. Party done.
I’d assume that the other clubs released their players the following day which was their right. I don’t know if those other players were released on the same time and negotiated different conditions.
But why assume so with no evidence to back it up?

Remember the clubs are releasing players to the care of their national team. So you must have some respect for your national coach.
Shaka Hislop is a married man with children. How come he never insisted on bringing his family to team camps?
I really don’t get why Cato feels so hard done by. What he is requesting is absolutely abnormal in the circumstances.

And imagine I often end up on the side of the players in many cases. But I don’t see how I can here.
If Cato spoke, I would put his view out there and leave it for the public to judge as I did before with players like Daneil Cyrus and Joevin Jones. But it won’t change fact that he didn’t follow the rules.

Lasana – I think you should share your Wire868 rules with Harry. This is a blog for dialogue / debate about all things sports etc. A blog where alternative views are welcomed and expected. I have shared my perspective in a non confrontational, non- fanatical, way. No name calling. No derogatory remarks to anyone who have joined the discussions. I’m at a lost to understand why you consider the discussions offensive.

Sigh.
This is too much too read.
The bad part is, you called ahead and get brace and I’m sure you would’ve heard that Khaleem postponed his HONEYMOON!!
HIS HONEYMOON cause the coach spoke to him and you still showed up with your wife and child.
Nope sorry to say but see u bye.
Even if he (Lawrence ) wanted to say yes, he couldn’t cause he already made Khaleem postpone his WHOLE HONEYMOON.
and compared to him Cato is a junior player.
What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

There are always two sides to a story and I can’t comment on Cato’s disciplinary record. It would seem though that Lawrence made a precedent that included no wives or girlfriends. He also didn’t travel with his wife and Hyland postponed his honeymoon as Lawrence didn’t even give special dispensation for that. So in this case he couldn’t make special consideration for Cato. Also showing up with your wife and child is in my opinion exacerbated the situation. It is as though you are challenging the coach’s authority. Maybe he should have put them up in a hotel nearby.

And he is very lucky that it wasn’t the army team that he did that madness with eh because on returning to our sweet country is plenty lock up in the hole down there in Tetron eh because “DISCIPLINE” must be maintained. Them really good yes

With behavior like this it becomes evident that all members of the team don’t clearly understand the magnitude of the task to qualify for the World Cup. This should not be happening at this stage. Going onto the field with 11 very committed but moderately skilled players is infinitely better than with 11 highly skilled and moderately committed players. Earl Mango Pierre as a former soldier you understand the commitment point

Yes. No official word yet of course. But it appears that he asked beforehand (not the coach), was advised against it but turned up anyway with wife and child. And when he was told no by coach, he opted to negotiate when he would join camp. And that was that.
I have good sources but it is not firsthand.

It’s tough to say why he would show up with his wife and child. Seems a bit odd nonetheless. I wonder if he’s had some issue of indiscipline before? Not defending the player but not sure why we would eliminate the player for this reason. Must be something more to the story…..

Cato has always been considered to be odd to be honest. That was always the word concerning him. Not that he is the only one.
Kevin Molino, Daneil Cyrus and Marcus Joseph are three others who coaches would tell you that you just expect anything from them.
In this case though, you might be right. But that’s all of the story that I have for now.

Well, the only alternative–based on how the team prepared previously–would be to go 4-3-3 with Joevin and Molino on either side of Kenwyne and three workmanlike midfielders.
That could actually be a good thing as US played a midfield diamond against Venezuela with very attacking players. So we will have our work cut out trying to get a foothold on central midfield.

Well it isn’t like I am not speaking the Truth, our players always have more respect for the foreign base Coaches even if they are a fisherman the same like when the coach of ASL was one when he was hired from Brazil to come and be the Coach of the team. Them really good yes hahaha

Lol. Ok, DJW just responded to say that the MLS/USSF responded to his letter. And they informed the TTFA that the deal to release MLS players early for the US national team was struck since early January 2017.

Okay. One addition people. Now the entire team isn’t in camp yet as they got released by their clubs on different dates. So Molino joined team this morning, Kenwyne and Kevan come tonight and Joevin comes tomorrow.
So Cato appeared to feel he should get leniency as a result.
Lawrence’s position was that when you come to work, you have to behave in a particular manner regardless.

Well that is interesting Trincity. But then that should have been sorted out earlier perhaps. It just isn’t usual for players to have their significant others on international duty. Not even for the likes of David Beckham.
So was the issue a problem in him getting to camp?

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